Donald Brashear
NBA: Triston Thompson, a 6’8” forward from Brampton and Cory Joseph, a 6’3” guard from Ajax have declared for the NBA Draft. Both were college freshmen last year and played for the Texas Longhorns. Neither player has signed with an agent, which will allow them to withdraw their names and return to Texas if they choose to. Texas reached the 2nd round of the NCAA March Madness tournament losing to Arizona. Thompson was the Big 12 Freshman of the Year and averaged 13.1 points per game (ppg) and 7.8 rebounds with 86 blocked shorts. Joseph averaged 10.4 ppg and 3 Assists.
Hockey: Donald Brashear, who played pro hockey for several teams including the Vancouver Canucks, has begun a new career. This time the NHL enforcer hopes to be successful as a mixed martial arts pro. His first opponent Steve Begin replaces his original opponent Martin Trempe who suffered a broken collarbone.
CFL Grey Cup: Although not scheduled until November 2012, the launch party for the 100th Grey Cup, to be held in Toronto, took place May 20th. Organizers are promising the biggest and most spectacular party in the game’s history. With a budget in the $20-30 million range it will also be the most expensive. Beginning nine days prior to the game, festivities will include a football film festival, a family zone at Yonge & Dundas Square, a street festival on John St., a tailgate party near the Rogers Centre and various other activities at the Metro Convention Centre. Preceding the festival will be a cross-Canada relay carrying the Grey Cup Trophy. The scope of the relay is dependent on the amount of federal funding that organizers believe will come through. A scheduled $5 million fell through when the federal election was called.
Boxing: Boxer Troy Ross (24-2-, 16 KOs) was hospitalized with abdominal pains, which caused him to withdraw from his scheduled bout on June 24th in Mississauga. Ross, a 2-time Canadian Olympian is the #3 IFB contender and is ranked #5 by Ring Magazine. He is expected to return in late August.
